QA in CAT Can Spoil Your Party

The Quantitative Aptitude section is the toughest section in the CAT exam. If not prepared well, it can definitely bring down your overall score and you may not clear the sectional cutoff as well. To ensure QA does not spoil your CAT score, make sure you smartly choose the right number of questions and answer them with 95-100% accuracy.

What is the QA “Score v/s Percentile” Trend?

Below is a look at the raw score v/s percentile trend over the last three years for the QA section:

Percentile

2017

2016

2015

Score

Questions Answered*

Score

Questions Answered*

Score

Questions Answered*

99

78

26

53

18

67

22

98

66

22

48

16

62

20

95

55

18

41

14

51

17

90

45

15

31

12

41

13

85

38

13

27

9

36

12

80

31

10

24

8

30

10

*These are net number of questions keeping into account MCQs, Non-MCQs and Negative Marking

Based on the above numbers the difficulty level of QA section in 2016 was more since the score to get a 99%ile decreased from 67 (in 2015) to 53. Also we see an increase in the score for 99%ile in 2017 to 78.

What is Important in QA?

Based on the last 3 years, here are all the topics that were asked in the CAT exam in the QA section. This is specifically for those who do not have a Math background; you can focus on these areas:

Alligations & Mixtures

Inequalities

Permutation & Combination

Area & Volume

Linear Equations

Polygons

Averages & Partnership

Logarithms

Quadratic Equations

Co-ordinate Geometry

Numbers

Surds & Indices

Circles

Partnerships & Percentages

Set Theory

Functions

Profit & Loss

Time, Speed & Distance

Heights & Distances

Progressions

Time & Work

Probability

Triangles

How to Tame QA?

As mentioned above, it purely depends on your choice of questions that you attempt during the actual CAT exam. If you really don’t want QA to be your spoiler, here is how you can tame it:

During Preparation:

Focus on polishing your strengths. If you know you are good on a set of topics, make them your best and practice them to attain 100% accuracy.

Sit and do timed mock tests. You know QA has 34 questions in 60 minutes. Focus on doing sectional mock tests. Once you are done, then sit and analyse your paper.

Your formulae and tables should be on your tips. When you sit in your free time keep recalling formulae and tables.

Devise shortcuts and apply them during the mocks you give.

Practice using an online calculator when you prepare to get a hang of the actual exam time.

During Exam Time:

Do not attempt questions that appear time-taking, tricky or tough. Your aim should be attempt the questions you choose correctly.

Choose questions that look familiar to you or are your strength.

Try to extrapolate the answer from the choices given if they are not too confusing.